Countdown to Alexander

On the first real snow fall of the winter season I find myself nesting. We have his furniture all set up, it is starting to look like a nursery.  I was searching Craigslist the other day and found our bedding, plus a ton of extra Mod Monkey things! It is such a good deal I couldn't pass it up, picking it up soon and cant wait.

Our Theme, Mod Monkey. 

Nursery so far (the pink totes hold Newborn/0-3 month clothes) 

Love the dresser/hutch....and look at those adorable suits! 

I also found some fun idea's for DIY (Do It Yourself) basket's on Pinterest, (follow me here). I made a few of them today.

One of my Basket's (with the yarn I am using for Alex's baby blanket ) 

J and LOVE the Holiday season and cant wait to decorate our house with lights, swag and tinsel. However, this year has been a bit busy and we know it will somehow only go faster so we mutually agreed that we are skipping 90% of the Christmas decorations this year. We agreed that we would keep it simple and only decorate the mantel.

Ugh I can not turn it...Here is our Christmas-fied Mantel 

I just "turned" 29 weeks on Thursday. I cant believe we have (give or take) 11 weeks left!! While doing Alexander's laundry today, as I was folding his teny-tiny onesies, I started to tear up a bit. I was folding laundry for MY son, not one of the many children I babysit for, but mine. I am not going to lie I had a few seconds of not believing it. Am I ready? I get that everyone thinks like this at some point but, time is ticking and things are starting to come together, so that is good.  Alex is really keeping busy in my tummy. I smile every time he moves in there, he hasn't been a huge mover but lately he really goes to town. When he moves most of the time you can visibly see it and J has been able to feel him all of the time now. 

Here is my Thanksgiving bump: 

Still wont rotate, sorry. 

I have felt great my whole pregnancy and really love being pregnant. I am quite blessed. 

Some countdowns that I am looking forward to: 

Christmas: 3 weeks away

Maternity Session: 5 weeks away

Baby shower weekend extravaganza: 6 weeks away

Alexander's estimated due date: 11 weeks away

WOW. 

If you want to take a look at our registries, feel free. As you saw, we are so set on clothes, so we did not register for any, since we just do not need any! :) (We have two families that have donated their hand-me-down clothes to us!)  We are also Cloth Diapering but will stock up on a few disposable diapers, 7th Gen seems to be a great disposable option. 

Babies'r'us:

http://www.toysrus.com/registry/link/index.jsp?overrideStore=TRUS&registryNumber=47290443

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/146FSMSJI6FVP 

Until next time. Love you all!

Hypnobirthing

**I want to take a second to point out that I am not "better then anyone" or "looking down" on anyone for not having a med-free birth. Everyone is different and has their own beliefs as well as wants. Every birth is different. I know going into labor and delivery (L&D) a mom might have wanted something and got a completely different experience, I get that. But this is what I am planning on, and well, if it works out great. If not I will still have an amazing baby at the end of the day**


"I CAN do it, I AM strong, I WILL surrender"  This is the title of a blog that I just read, via blooma. The timing is so wonderful as J and I took our first Hypnobirthing (HB) class last night.  Hypnobirthing (click on the link to find more info) is the birthing method we have picked, along with water birth to Labor and Deliver Alex. Well I researched what I wanted and asked J if he felt the same way and went from there. We both agreed that we want a heathy momma and baby at the end of the day and if we can help it a med-free birth, yes I said it MED-FREE birth, that is what we want to do. I understand I haven't gone through L&D so I do not know what I am "in-store" for but I do know my body and I also know this is what I was made to do. I am going to trust my body when I most need it. 


Walking into our first class I did not know what to fully expect. I knew that my Doula, Jonna, highly recommend Dawn as our HB instructor and that I would be in wonderful hands. After I introduced myself to Dawn I knew that I did make the right choice.  


Empowering. Her first class was just that. Empowering. Reconfirming what I have been feeling my whole life, birthing is what I was made to do. My body knows what to do and when. I took in so many statements from last night I will go over a few that really stuck with me. 


#1: When someone tells someone that they are pregnant why do they feel the need to tell the pregnant lady horror stories about birth?? Especially when I tell them I plan on going med-free. Same thing goes for when I tell them I will be Cloth Diapering. 


So why is that? Personally I have had a number of women actually laugh at me and say something along the lines of "oh just wait, you'll be begging for meds" or " HA!! Yeah right, good luck with that".  I normally shake it off and just go with the flow but I wont anymore. I wont be putting up with that anymore.  If they think they can shoot me down, have zero faith in me and feel completely fine to dismiss my opinion I will nicely tell that that is not okay with me. Now I am not a person who deals with confrontation so we will see how the next confrontation goes. 


Next someone tells you that they are pregnant tell them the BEST story you can think of, or just congratulate them.  Think about it this way...if someone tells you that they are sick you don't think of the worse case story and tell them that. You say "Oh I hope you feel better!!" Or you tell them of a story that you have heard of a HAPPY ending. Remember this for next time you are in this situation. 


#2: Turn the negatives into positives/believe in yourself. 


Pretty much the same thing here. But I'll go a few steps further.  When someone says you cant, follow that up with yes I can!! When I start thinking I cant, I will turn it around and think YES I CAN. The power of positive thinking and positive reinforcement is amazing.  


I received a book and print outs last night, both have sections of affirmations. I will be taking some of my fun pens and paper and write some of my favorite ones down. Posting them around the house, in my car, in my purse...wherever I can for reminders.


A few that really stick out to me (and some new ones I found while searching): 

• I put all fear aside as I prepare for the birth of my baby. 
• I trust my body, and follow its lead.
• I am prepared to meet whatever turn my birthing takes. 
• I CAN do it, I AM strong, I WILL surrender. 
• She believed she could, so she did. 
• She turned her can't into cans. and her dreams into plans.   

#3: You CAN DO IT


Also close to the first two points. But this really stuck out to me so I wanted to include it at my top stick out moments. 


#4: Practice your breathing. 


I will be downloading my CD's with affirmations and Rainbow Relaxation songs onto my computer tonight and then onto my phone so I can listen to them while practicing my breathing all of the time. Especially when I wind down at night. That is the best time to practice my breath. I will also play the songs while doing my prenatal yoga at home.




Our first class was a hit. I came out of it so excited for labor & Delivery. YES I said that. I am excited for my Labor & Delivery. Some might find that funny, others might embrace it. I am just hoping I feel the same way come February!! :)    

6 months already!

How far along?  25 weeks

Maternity clothes?  Oh for sure. I have two maternity jeans that I love. Something about being able to wear jeans makes me feel better the wearing yoga pants. 

Sleep?   For the most part I get plenty of sleep at night, wearing Breathe Rights help. I also love my body pillow!!

Symptoms:   Not really. Just aches and pains. I can tell my pelvic bones are moving and grooving, I even have a small wiggle going on. 

Best moment this week?  Since updating this blog (at 18 weeks) we found out we are having a BOY!! Mr. Alexander John. 

Food cravings:  Still loving my carbs, nothing has changed there. My appetite has gotten larger, eating more, larger meals...even more then J most meals. Leann Chins have been a crave lately, same with Brueggers bagels. ummmmm. 

Gender:  BOY!

Belly button in or out?  In, but getting closer to a flat button everyday.

Movement:  For sure! J felt Alex for the first time on October 23rd!! Tracy was also able to feel him. 

What I miss?  Being able to have a glass or two of wine. Someday's I am so hormonal I just want drink a nice glass of red wine in my bath. 

What I'm looking forward to:  My double digit countdown...(November 9th) and 3rd tri (November 16th)  

Milestones:  I hit and overcome my V-day (Viability Day: Capable of living outside the uterus) 

Gender Reveal Party!

I am not sure why it is so hard for me to find the time to blog, its not like I am a super busy person its just not top on my list. When I first started this I wanted it to be so much more then it is. I feel like I now have to back track to catch up on my life events. So here is my first of not too sure how many catch up blogs!

October 8th we had a Gender Reveal Party. Now for those of you who do not know what that is or already do and think its a crazy idea this is what it is and why we did it.

October 7th J and I had THE big U/S making sure this little on in my belly was healthy and growing at the rate it should be. If we were lucky we could get "the money shot". We told the tech that we would love to know the sex, just not while we where there. We wanted the tech to write down in a envelope with the picture, seal it and give it to us. The tech was very good at her job, telling us everything she was looking at and that is looked great for where we should be (size wise). J and I saw the little legs, feet, arms, profile shot and my favorite was looking at our baby's 4 chamber heart. Beating just how it should be. I never thought looking at a heart would move me to tears but when I was looking at MY baby in m belly I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Smiling ear to ear to J in amazement. After checking everything it was time to look at the goods. J and I did not want to look away! So we agreed not to, we are not educated in looking at ultrasounds so we figured it wouldn't wreck the surprise. We did close our eyes when she wrote on the screen/pic what we were having. As she left to print off the pictures I was so sure we were having a girl, seeing nothing that looked like boy. J was fairly sure he saw boy parts, but he followed that with, but I think it was the umbilical cord. So we were still in the dark.

We walked out of the office staring at our baby's pictures, in amazement. Quickly realizing the next time we see our baby will be when he/she is in our arms in the hospital in February. (That is if we do not need another u/s between then and now) SOOOO we then needed to get to the baker's house to drop the sealed envelope off. But we thought it would be fun to stretch out the torture a little longer by going to Outback.

J really, really, really wanted to open it. For some reason I really didn't feel the need to. 

After eating the most amazing meal we have at at Outback in a LONG time we headed to the baker's Marie's cakes. I found her through Wish Upon a Wedding (St Paul Chapter). Marie is hands down the best person I have worked with, if I would have had our wedding here and I would have known about her she would have been my cake person for SURE. .....SO we handed the envelope off and it was in her hands. She would be dying the inside of the cake pink or blue with corresponding icing color. J and I actually were able to get to bed fairly easy knowing the sex of our baby was known, but not by us! 

October 8th. J and I headed over to my parents house to start decorations. Marie showed up with the cake and that was the first time I wanted to dig into it, but somehow managed not to. My equally favorite vendor showed up, Kristen Elizabeth Photography to start shooting the detail shots before guests arrive. She is also taking my maternity, newborn, 6 month and 1 year shots...pretty excited to have our photographer all set. 

THE cake!!!

When people started showing up was when I was So glad we decided to do this. Everyone came in either Pink or Blue (depending on what they hoped/wished out baby would be) and had huge smiles on their faces. Everyone thanked us for letting them be a part of such a special and quine event in our life. J and I are so blessed for our family and friends, we were blown away by everyone coming to find out with us. 

Team Pink!!

Team Blue!!

Our closet family and friends! 

Everyone also wrote their names on either the Blue side or Pink side

It was then the moment we have been waiting for. Time to cut the cake and revel who our little baby will be, Madison or Alexander.

It's BLUE, that means we're having Alexander John!!!

I really did have a gut feeling girl, so I was shocked.

SO we are having Mr. Alexander John, who should be arriving sometime this February. 

Some wonderful group shots I don't not want to leave out. 

Grandpa and Grandma Schindeldecker!!!

GREAT Grandma and Grandpa Schindeldecker

Grandpa and Grandma Menier

The Cha-Cha's!! (my mom and most of her sisters and my sister.  I got SO lucky with this group of ladies) 

To check out the rest of the pictures here is a link to my shutterfly account:  share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AauWzhq2bNWLDVA

18 weeks already?!

(taking my 18 week photo tomorrow) 

Wow its crazy how fast this is going. The sad part is once this Little One will get here it will go even faster, not sure how that is possible, but I know s/he will be in school before we know it. :( 

How far along?  18 weeks

Maternity clothes?  Yup! I was able to barrow a ton of fun tops and jeans from a friend of mine, and boy I'm in heaven! I have been living in my "new" jeans and sporting cute and fun tops. I love the tighter fitting ones, showing off this bump that is growing like a weed. 

Sleep?   Sleep. Well yes and no. Joint/side/lower back aches have started to creep in at night. It was quite painful the first night, but thankfully I was able to see my Chiropractor. I got an adjustment and a massage and boy did they help! I have also been doing twice daily stretches, they have also helped!  

Symptoms:   Not really, still a little sassy, no real symptoms thankfully. 

Best moment this week?  Scheduling our big U/S! We can not wait to find out who this little person is!  

Food cravings:  I can eat pizza everyday. Pickles have been my top lately. 

Gender:  not sure yet, Big U/S scheduled for Oct 7th, then Gender reveal party October 8th. 

Belly button in or out?  In

Movement:  Not sure yet. I think I feel little M, but I'm not too sure yet.  

What I miss?  Not being so tired randomly. I also hate the hunger that comes out of nowhere, that's not fun either. 

What I'm looking forward to:  getting a bigger bump :) 

Milestones:  2 weeks till half baked! 

Crash boom bang

This weekend started off great (MW app on Friday). This afternoon we were on our way to a friends BBQ and BANG the weekend started to suck. I was in a construction zone, so the 4 lanes were down to two and everyone just wanted to get to their final destination. Our light turned green, as I was just getting through the intersection the cars ahead of me slammed on their breaks (there was another light a half a block up, and it turned red) and no one gave the "two car length" in front of the car ahead of you, including me. The car in front of me hit the car in front of him, and I hit him; resulting in me rear ending him. Since we were going so slow no one in either vehicle were hurt but my poor car got the brunt of the damage. :(  The first car and second car (me being the third) had zero damage between the two. I wish I would have seen the slow down before it happened, but I didn't. I am just so glad everyone was not hurt, including my little Peep. Being 13 weeks Peep is still very protected and our slow speed helped as well. It just so scary how in a blink of an eye things could have been SO MUCH different. I am thankful today we had our Angels looking out for us. 

Ouch!

His damage

:(  My poor car

On a side note, it is CRAZY how many people yelled, screamed and swore at us. They said very offending things to and towards us. People, I get that you had to wait a little longer to get through the intersection. But don't you think we would move our cars if we could!? (My car was latched onto his, we moved after we made sure everyone was fine and our hands stopped shaking. He actually had to move forward to un-hook us)  As people yelled at us I either yelled back "we would if we could" or "God Bless you too."  So next time you have to wait a few minutes for a car crash understand THEY didn't want to get into said crash and hope no one got hurt. Remember we are all people and have low times. Thankfully no one got hurt in this crash. I wish I could say the same about the Truck driver earlier this week in Lowry Tunnel. Story. 

2nd Midwife appointment

We had our second MW appointment on Friday. J had to work OT so my momma came with, Grandma :) was quite excited to hear little Peep with her own ears.  Heart Beat !3 weeks music to our ears!!!!  Baby Peep was loud and clear with a HB of 157-160, very strong. I am officially in 2 tri, were did the time go?! This pregnancy has been a dream, lets hope it will continue to be one.

How far along? 13 weeks

Maternity clothes?  Maternity pants are quite compfy lately (as of 11 weeks), yoga pants have been my BFF. I bought some shirts, but really love sporting my little bump, so I have been wearing my regular clothes for tops. 

Sleep?  Good really. Some days I am quite exhausted, but not sleepy. I haven't had problems sleeping, hoping that continues.  

Symptoms:  None really. However J would say I am quite moody! I might have to agree with him on this one. 

Best moment this week? Hearing Little Peeps HB! 

Food cravings:  Mashed potatoes and gravy...I had gravy, just not the potatoes...anyone wanna hook a girl up?

Gender:  not sure yet, Big U/S scheduled for Oct 7th, then Gender reveal party October 8th. 

Belly button in or out?  In

Movement:  Not yet, a few more weeks maybe

What I miss?  being able to have a glass (or two) of wine

What I'm looking forward to:  getting a bigger bump :) 

Milestones:  2 TRI!!! whooohooo

Hi from Baby M!

We had our first MW (Midwife) appointment back on June 22nd and it was everything we hoped it would be! Everything looked great, other then she couldn't find a heartbeat. She was not worried at all since I was only 9 weeks, 7 days. So she sent us to get an U/S (ultra sound)!!


We left the MW appointment and had a few hours to waste so we went to Perkins.  I was a nervous wreck the whole time but J was my solid rock the whole time.  He is and always has been exactly who and what I need. Excited to experience this with J, he is already an amazing daddy.  


After a long two hour wait we finally checked in for our U/S.  I laid down, the our tech did her thing...and we saw the most amazing thing ever, our little fishy swimming along! Baby M's heartbeat was 164, and was waving to the camera, wouldn't sit still. It was soooo amazing to see that we really have a baby growing in there! And only ONE! :) (as twins run on both of our sides)

Baby M is measuring perfectly, the tech actually moved the EDD (Estimated Due Date) up two days to Feb 16, 2012. My (dads, dad) Grandfathers birthday, that is very special. Today I am 11 weeks, 3 days and it is flying by!

Ahhhhh! We are so happy! Just 9 more weeks and we'll know what it is.

Fun times at the Cabin

Last weekend J and I babysat the Schifsky kids. Roman (9), Lily (6) and Simone (4).....I have sat this family since Lily was about one....someone make these kids stop growing!

Saturday we spent a good portion of the day at the Dam on Lake Wapogasset. We all loved it. Since we all love  picture posts, here is mine, filled with Schifsky children goodness.

Lovin it!

I have been a nanny for just about a month and the "new baby love" has yet to wear off, it just keeps getting better! I nanny for a family that has let me become a part of their family. I truly do not feel like I am going to work in the mornings and I dont really want to leave at the end of the day. If you dont know by now I nanny 8 month old twin boys. Nick and Zack--happy birthday today little ones!  Adorable to the max, they aren't identical, but they are identically cute! :)  On Friday Zack (the one on the left) was able to bounce all by himself on his bouncy chair, and his reaction to that was priceless. He understands that if he braces down and jumps he will go for a little ride. He was in his chair for a good hour on Friday. He got so tired, but he just keep on bouncing! I am such a sap I actually had a tear in my eye, I was so happy for him. I know I will have many, many more light bulb moments for these two. I can not wait to have a little one of my own to enjoy these moments!

Home Project #4 (part 2)

Turning our house into a HOME 

Project #4: The Kitchen! (con'd)


Step 3: Framing
I never realized what it took to frame in that hole they just made. You cant just throw up some wood and go. You have to level everything out, down to the centimeter. 

It looks so nice with the framing up

And even better with varnish!

J admiring his work

Painting the temporary nook counter top. One day we want to get a thicker one. 

Step 4: Paint and new cabinets! 

After J varnished them. You can also see the paint. Same colors from the living/dinning room

Step 5: Granite Counter Tops!!!

New Fridge, new cabinets and mounted microwave. 

(You know you are an adult when you are excited about appliances!) 

Look the water/ice works :) 

We are DONE!!!!